GOF Chapter 12: The Triwizard Tournament
Mar. 19th, 2011 09:40 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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deathtocapslockPeeves splashes the kids with waterballoons. Of course Ron fares worse than Harry and Hermione. And Minerva is helpless to stop Peeves. Is the drying spell Albus uses on Harry in HBP so advanced these incoming 4th years don't know it yet?
Harry hopes the Sorting would end soon. The oldest among this year's new students were born 10 months after the end of VoldWar 1. If British wizards had a post-war Baby Boom, this cohort is its first, so I hope Harry finds the patience.
Can someone please tell me why Dennis Creevey is in the story? Is it just to frustrate any attempt to understand the inheritance of magic in Rowling's world? But since he is here we are reminded of Parvati's twin sister, who will be needed as a date to the ball - and then forgotten.
Yes Harry, Severus' hatred (or resentment, or something) intensified the night of Sirius' escape, but not necessarily for the reason you think. Don't forget that Severus shut up immediately when he realized Sirius' escape was orchestrated by The Twinkly Headmaster. And Severus recovered the wand that Sirius used that night. Which means that once he got to his rooms, and recovered from the events of the night (which included sustaining a concussion), Severus must have arranged to PI his wand (just to know to what use Sirius had put it) and discovered that Sirius was the one who banged his already injured head against the walls of the tunnel, but also that Peter was alive and a rat Animagus (via the spell that forced him into human form). Which means Peter was the traitor - and also that this traitor escaped. IOW Severus is angry with the trio for attacking and injuring him that night, and thus setting up the events that led to Peter's escape. Of course he is also angry with Sirius for still believing Severus deserved to be eaten by a werewolf at 16 and for aggravating his injuries in the shack. (BTW we have no evidence to suggest Severus needed a new wand after being disarmed by the trio and being injured with his own wand by Sirius. In case you were wondering.)
The first years are soaking wet. The drying spell, Minerva! No such luck. Maybe it really is advanced magic.
The Sorting Hat claims to have never been wrong. Yet it sometimes Sorts people 'too soon'.
MALcolm BADdock, the boy with the most ominous name ever, joins Slytherin House, to the brave and bold hissing of the twins. Harry wonders if the boy knows he is joining the House that produced more Dark witches and wizards than the others. And what do you think do Slytherins think when Dennis Creevey is Sorted to Gryffindor? The House of bullies, jerks and vain peacocks?
Nearly-Headless-Nick performs his third-most significant plot function by bringing the Hogwarts house-elves to Hermione's attention.
Dumbledore makes sure students break the rules all year by telling them it was Filch who forbade the various assault-toys. (Thanks, Terri, for this observation!)
Oh no! No Quidditch this year! Good thing we had the World Cup to remind us of the who-has-the-better-broom contest!
Aha! This year's villain makes a dramatic entrance! Why doesn't anyone pay attention to the sound effects?
Albus and Hagrid are the only ones to applaud 'Moody'. Does this make him an 'interesting creature'? Looks like even those familiar with Moody's record don't appreciate him becoming DADA teacher. Or perhaps it's because of that familiarity?
'Moody' drinks from his hip-flask, but eats the food served in his plate. Has the wizarding world not invented the ability to deliver poisons in food?
So, the Triwizard Tournament was started around 1300, give or take a few years, held every 5 years for a while, then disbanded for centuries but for an occasional failed attempt to restore it. So whose idea was to hold it at Hogwarts now? Especially when the very same departments were involved in hosting the QWC? I used to think it was Dumbles' reaction to Peter's escape and Sybil's second prophecy, but obviously if Bertha knew so much about it before leaving for Albania the planning must have started much earlier. Was this Ludo Bagman's idea of creating more venues for gambling? Or Fudge's idea of distracting the populace from the failed hunt for Sirius Black?
I know: The mastermind of it all was Ludo Bagman! After all Bertha Jorkins had been working in his department. He initiated the renewal of the Triwizard tournament specifically in order to bring Voldemort back. He then gave Bertha the idea to visit Albania so that Voldemort would capture her and use her information. And yes, he got Arthur the tickets in order to give Barty Jr a chance to observe Harry from close-up. The whole business with the goblins was just a cover.
Anyway, everyone agrees that's the best way to establish ties between students of traditionally rival schools who know nothing about each other. Just look how well the House Cup competition does this kind of thing at Hogwarts!
Dumbledore will ensure personally that no underage student will get hirself selected. We'll see how hard he's going to work on that. Anyway, it seems Albus believes that once a wizard is of age it is completely up to hir choice to go and risk hir life for fame and riches (or just walk to death to weaken an enemy).
Fred wants to enter the tournament because he might be able to do forbidden magic and get 1000 Galleons.
Ron wants to have a chance at the money too.
Neville wants to enter to appease his grandmother. He also reminds us of the existence of the trick stair.
Dean adds a Quidditch poster to his football one. Maybe some Muggle-raised wizards do not completely disown the world of their birth? (Though 3 years from now he will be camping with runaway wizards and goblins, not staying with Muggle family and friends.)
Once more Harry dreams of being a star despite already being one for 3 years running.
Harry hopes the Sorting would end soon. The oldest among this year's new students were born 10 months after the end of VoldWar 1. If British wizards had a post-war Baby Boom, this cohort is its first, so I hope Harry finds the patience.
Can someone please tell me why Dennis Creevey is in the story? Is it just to frustrate any attempt to understand the inheritance of magic in Rowling's world? But since he is here we are reminded of Parvati's twin sister, who will be needed as a date to the ball - and then forgotten.
Yes Harry, Severus' hatred (or resentment, or something) intensified the night of Sirius' escape, but not necessarily for the reason you think. Don't forget that Severus shut up immediately when he realized Sirius' escape was orchestrated by The Twinkly Headmaster. And Severus recovered the wand that Sirius used that night. Which means that once he got to his rooms, and recovered from the events of the night (which included sustaining a concussion), Severus must have arranged to PI his wand (just to know to what use Sirius had put it) and discovered that Sirius was the one who banged his already injured head against the walls of the tunnel, but also that Peter was alive and a rat Animagus (via the spell that forced him into human form). Which means Peter was the traitor - and also that this traitor escaped. IOW Severus is angry with the trio for attacking and injuring him that night, and thus setting up the events that led to Peter's escape. Of course he is also angry with Sirius for still believing Severus deserved to be eaten by a werewolf at 16 and for aggravating his injuries in the shack. (BTW we have no evidence to suggest Severus needed a new wand after being disarmed by the trio and being injured with his own wand by Sirius. In case you were wondering.)
The first years are soaking wet. The drying spell, Minerva! No such luck. Maybe it really is advanced magic.
The Sorting Hat claims to have never been wrong. Yet it sometimes Sorts people 'too soon'.
MALcolm BADdock, the boy with the most ominous name ever, joins Slytherin House, to the brave and bold hissing of the twins. Harry wonders if the boy knows he is joining the House that produced more Dark witches and wizards than the others. And what do you think do Slytherins think when Dennis Creevey is Sorted to Gryffindor? The House of bullies, jerks and vain peacocks?
Nearly-Headless-Nick performs his third-most significant plot function by bringing the Hogwarts house-elves to Hermione's attention.
Dumbledore makes sure students break the rules all year by telling them it was Filch who forbade the various assault-toys. (Thanks, Terri, for this observation!)
Oh no! No Quidditch this year! Good thing we had the World Cup to remind us of the who-has-the-better-broom contest!
Aha! This year's villain makes a dramatic entrance! Why doesn't anyone pay attention to the sound effects?
Albus and Hagrid are the only ones to applaud 'Moody'. Does this make him an 'interesting creature'? Looks like even those familiar with Moody's record don't appreciate him becoming DADA teacher. Or perhaps it's because of that familiarity?
'Moody' drinks from his hip-flask, but eats the food served in his plate. Has the wizarding world not invented the ability to deliver poisons in food?
So, the Triwizard Tournament was started around 1300, give or take a few years, held every 5 years for a while, then disbanded for centuries but for an occasional failed attempt to restore it. So whose idea was to hold it at Hogwarts now? Especially when the very same departments were involved in hosting the QWC? I used to think it was Dumbles' reaction to Peter's escape and Sybil's second prophecy, but obviously if Bertha knew so much about it before leaving for Albania the planning must have started much earlier. Was this Ludo Bagman's idea of creating more venues for gambling? Or Fudge's idea of distracting the populace from the failed hunt for Sirius Black?
I know: The mastermind of it all was Ludo Bagman! After all Bertha Jorkins had been working in his department. He initiated the renewal of the Triwizard tournament specifically in order to bring Voldemort back. He then gave Bertha the idea to visit Albania so that Voldemort would capture her and use her information. And yes, he got Arthur the tickets in order to give Barty Jr a chance to observe Harry from close-up. The whole business with the goblins was just a cover.
Anyway, everyone agrees that's the best way to establish ties between students of traditionally rival schools who know nothing about each other. Just look how well the House Cup competition does this kind of thing at Hogwarts!
Dumbledore will ensure personally that no underage student will get hirself selected. We'll see how hard he's going to work on that. Anyway, it seems Albus believes that once a wizard is of age it is completely up to hir choice to go and risk hir life for fame and riches (or just walk to death to weaken an enemy).
Fred wants to enter the tournament because he might be able to do forbidden magic and get 1000 Galleons.
Ron wants to have a chance at the money too.
Neville wants to enter to appease his grandmother. He also reminds us of the existence of the trick stair.
Dean adds a Quidditch poster to his football one. Maybe some Muggle-raised wizards do not completely disown the world of their birth? (Though 3 years from now he will be camping with runaway wizards and goblins, not staying with Muggle family and friends.)
Once more Harry dreams of being a star despite already being one for 3 years running.
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no subject
Date: 2011-03-20 02:00 am (UTC)I always liked the fanon version of Padma; someone truly beautiful - it's canon that the sisters are the "prettiest girls in Harry's year", right? - but clever too. A more serious, solid, respectable version of Parvati. Someone for Harry to fall in love with if Hermione wasn't available. Right now I'm not sure if that 'serious' demeanour is completely a fanon construct, or if there was a sentence or two somewhere in the books which gave rise to it.
The drying spell, Minerva! No such luck. Maybe it really is advanced magic.
Ha ha ha! Yes, advanced magic that needs the power of THE ELDER WAND!!
"Are you a witch or not, Minerva?" :-)
The Sorting Hat claims to have never been wrong. Yet it sometimes Sorts people 'too soon'.
Well, it's technically not wrong at the time it does the sort, then!
'Moody' drinks from his hip-flask, but eats the food served in his plate. Has the wizarding world not invented the ability to deliver poisons in food?
Hee, nice one. That excuse really didn't hold up, did it? Heaps of wizards and not an ounce of logic between them. Hermione was right! (Again)
I know: The mastermind of it all was Ludo Bagman! ...
Uhm, okay, Oryx, if you say so ...
*backs away slowly*
no subject
Date: 2011-03-20 02:42 am (UTC)My god! Hairdryers are the gift of Death himself!
Food and Moody
Date: 2011-03-20 10:38 am (UTC)But there is so much about this series that makes no sense at all.
Re: Food and Moody
Date: 2011-03-20 09:25 pm (UTC)It *might* be easier to add a potion to another fluid as a last-minute thing, but if you're paranoid, that isn't enough of a difference.
no subject
Date: 2011-03-20 06:19 pm (UTC)*backs away slowly*
It annoys me we are never given a reason why the Tournament was revived at this time. We are given reasons (even if inadequate) why Quirrell went traveling, or why Lucius released the diary just then or why Sirius broke out of Azkaban when he did after 12+ years. But the Tournament comes out of nowhere and its timing is never explained. It would have worked better to simply have it an event that still takes place every x years with the 3 schools taking turns hosting (so the previous time it was hosted at Hogwarts was 3x years previously).
Oh dear maths
Date: 2011-03-20 06:58 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-03-21 03:54 am (UTC)And yet it would have been so easy for her to put in a single sentence to make it fit properly.
But this is the woman who wrote six books with Harry defiantly saying Voldemort's name ... only to stop, never say it ONCE, after Ron begged him not to in the 7th book. Even for the weeks/months during Ron's desertion when he, Harry, was upset and angry about that desertion and not particularly disposed to grant any wish of the boy who abandoned him.
And it's the woman who had Ron justify his asking Harry not to 'say the name' because ... let me look it up ... ah, here it is:
“I’m sorry,” Ron said, moaning a little as he raised himself to look at them, “but it feels like a – a jinx or something.
Rowling really really REALLY didn't care about things like plot consistency or integrity.(I still laugh when I read that line. It reminds me of the weekend that I read DH. When Ron made that statement I just *knew* there had to be *something* behind it. Some magical ability? A skill at divination? A super-power? WHEN WOULD IT BE REVEALED? WHEN WOULD IT BE EXPLAINED?
Because, if it wasn't explained, if there was nothing *behind* this sudden 'feeling' ... but no. There had to be something behind it.
But there wasn't. Rowling just has Ron have a 'feeling' because she needed a reason for Harry not to mention the name. And that's it.
So help me gosh, I feel *embarrassed* for her when I think of this amateurish writing!)
I'm starting to see why you say the rot started to show with GoF. Still, we can fix up this particular problem of yours, thusly:
Dumbledore cleared his throat.
"As I was saying," he said, smiling at the sea of students before him, all of whom were still gazing transfixed at Mad-Eye Moody, "we are to have the honor of hosting a very exciting event over the coming months, an event that has not been held for over a century. It is my very great pleasure to inform you that the Triwizard Tournament will be taking place at Hogwarts this year."
"You're JOKING!" said Fred Weasley loudly.
"Why NOW?" asked Harry.
"Because," said the grand old wizard, beaming down at them, "it felt like a - a good thing to do. Right now. Yes. Quite."
no subject
Date: 2011-03-21 02:13 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-03-21 03:58 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-03-21 05:36 pm (UTC)Even the Quidditch World Cup's presence in the novel could well be playing to fan expectations without including more than one game.
no subject
Date: 2011-03-21 05:44 pm (UTC)